The Spoils of Egypt (Mamur Zapt Mysteries) - Softcover

Pearce, Michael

3.84

110 ratings by Goodreads

9781590580585: The Spoils of Egypt (Mamur Zapt Mysteries)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1590580583 ISBN 13: 9781590580585

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, 2003

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Edwardian Egypt and archaeology go hand in hand, not just for the antiquarian but for the men, whether poor fellahin or rich merchant, who profit from the illegal export of antiquities. Captain Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt or head of Cairo's Secret Police, turns his attention to the trade when Miss Skinner arrives. She's a woman with the habit of asking awkward questions. And because her uncle might be the next President of the United States, her queries demand answers. So what is she doing looking at crocodiles? And mummified ones at that? Were they priceless? Are they even antiques? Owen's new brief is to see that Egypt's priceless treasures stay in Egypt. But when Miss Skinner narrowly escapes falling under a conveyance - whether she was just accidentally nudged by a Passover sheep or not - Owen expands his command. As he labors to thwart killers and the flight of national treasures abroad, he faces an even graver problem: whether to risk his career by asking the pasha's lovely daughter to marry him....

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About the Author:

Michael Pearce grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan among the political and other tensions he draws on for his books. He returned there later to teach and retains a human rights interest in the area. His career has followed the standard academic rake's progress from teaching to writing to administration. He finds international politics a pallid imitation of academic ones.

From Booklist:

In his sixth book in the series, Pearce offers an entertaining story, full of the ambience and mystery of old Egypt. Set in Cairo at the beginning of this century, the tale features stalwart, sensible Captain Gareth Owen, otherwise known as the Mamur Zapt, head of Cairo's secret police. Owen has been asked to keep an eye on the attractive Miss Skinner, an American whose chief reason for visiting Cairo seems to be to launch her own campaign to stop the smuggling of antiquities out of the country. At first, Owen finds the woman merely a nuisance, especially when she insists on asking embarrassing questions of the pashas, Cairo's most wealthy, influential citizens. But when two potentially fatal accidents happen to Miss Skinner within the space of a few days, Owen begins to wonder if her investigation could be exposing some dangerous truths. Pearce's book features intelligent writing and a pithy plot, a cast of eccentric and engaging characters, and an appealing blend of gentle humor, historic ambience, high adventure, and exotic settings. Emily Melton

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